Cliffhangers and Cocktails
Fantasy book discussions, author interviews, cocktail recipes (and drinking!), and witchy content. Hosted by Shéa MacCleod and Amy Cissell, USA Today Bestselling Authors of urban fantasy, cozy mysteries, paranormal women's fiction, and all things magical and wonderful.
Episodes
64 episodes
Episode 57: Writing Craft | Using Tarot to Guide Your Writing
In this episode of Cliffhangers & Cocktails, Shéa and Amy discuss using tarot cards as a tool to guide our writing. We also talk espresso cocktails, share this week’s affirmation, ask some silly supernatural questions, and end w...
Episode 56: An Interview with STEPHANIE MIRRO
In this episode of Cliffhangers & Cocktails, we interview STEPHANIE MIRRO about writing urban fantasy, Stephanie’s author journey, character development, and the inspiration behind WINGS OF FIRE. We also talk about magical margaritas, share...
From the Archives: Blessed Mabon!
Today is the autumnal equinox in the northern hemisphere, so in honor that holiday, we’re bringing back our most popular Sabbat episode ever! On today's episode, which originally aired in September 2025, we talked a little about the...
Episode 55: ARCANE AWAKENINGS, Money Pigs, and Puppy Piddles
OMFG y'all!This episode was uploaded about 10 days ago and was supposed to go live on the 15th of September. HOWEVER - apparently, for the first time in ages, I had a tech glitch. And also for the first time in ages, I did not double che...
Episode 54: The Witch’s Liquor Cabinet: A Twist of Magic
In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy Just Say No — to Ghosts! We’re talking spirit-free fun with mocktails.Not everyone wants to drink all the time. Not everyone drinks. We wanted to make sure to cover sans alco...
Episode 53: Very Stable Geniuses Fart Out Perfect First Drafts!
Nobody’s perfect. (Or are they?) In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy sit down to discuss the myth of the perfect first draft in a one-hit wonder episode about writing craft.This week’s episode was recorded a mi...
From the Archives: Blood Worm Moons and an Interview with LINDA MERCURY!
Shéa and Amy are wrapping up their vacation, so please enjoy your last rerun of the summer! (We’re back September 1 with all new episodes.)On today's episode, which originally aired in May 2025, we interview author Linda Mercury about he...
From the Archives: Stuff grows in dirt and an interview with TARA WEST!
Shéa and Amy are (still) on vacation, so we're bringing back one of our earliest (not re-edited at all) episodes. On today's episode, which originally aired in February 2025, we interview author Tara West about her books "Sugar, Sp...
Episode 52: Total Eclipse (of the Heart): Shady Business and Sunny Shenanigans
Shéa and Amy are taking a brief vacation from their summer break to bring you a TOTALITY awesome, brand new, episode.In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy are talking the total eclipse (totality in Spain, Iceland...
From the Archives: Christmas Down Under and an interview with LAURETTA HIGNETT!
Shéa and Amy are on vacation, so we're bringing back one of our earliest (not redited at all) episodes. On today's episode, which originally aired in July 2025, we interview author extraordinaire Lauretta Hignett about her "Susan, Y...
From the Archives: IT’S REAPING TIME! Happy Lughnasa
Shéa and Amy are on vacation, so we're bringing back one of our earliest (not redited at all) episodes. This was originally recorded for Lughnasa 2025. This year (2026), Lughnasa falls on August 1 in the Northern Hemisphere - so I h...
From the Archives: Magic ROCKS! An interview with SAMANTHA HARGROVE!
Shéa and Amy are on vacation, so we're bringing back one of our earliest (not redited at all) episodes. Please stir up a G&T, lean back, and enjoy this interview with Samantha Hargrove!You can learn all about Samantha and...
Episode 51: The Witch’s Liquor Cabinet: Bring Us a Shrubbery
In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy take on the Knights who say Ni! And while they’re doing that, they talk about shrubs, a vinegar based beverage that’s been used for ages. It can be used as a beverage, a cocktail in...
From the Archives: Bloody Bellinis, Moody Alpacas, and an Interview with ELIZABETH HUNTER!
Shéa and Amy are on vacation, so we're bringing back one of our earliest (not redited at all) episodes. Please make yourself a bloody bellini, settle back, and enjoy this interview with Elizabeth Hunter!You can find Elizabeth...
Episode 50: Fire Snakes & Wood Tigers celebrate our 50th EPISODE!
In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy are reminded that words come from fingers, not faces as they look back over their favorite moments of the last year and a half. And while Shéa was able to choose a single cocktail a...
Episode 29: “Paul and I Are Pirates,” Role Playing Levi-TEA, and an “Interview” with ISA MEDINA!
In today’s episode of Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy talk about inherent witchiness of tea and the magic of joy, make a play for a Harney & Sons sponsorship (call us!), and Amy pretends to be author ISA MEDINA. Isa'...
Minisode 19: Joyous Litha!
In today’s episode of Peach Pie and Lord of the Rings … err, we mean Cliffhangers and Cocktails, Shéa and Amy talk about Litha - the Summer Solstice. Make yourself a Solstice sip (strawberry margaritas anyone?) and settle in for some history, a...
Episode 28: Part Time Lovers, Sacred Shadow Work, and an interview with IRIS BEAGLEHOLE!
In today's episode, Shéa and Amy talk crystals that amplify self-love and healing, the best tangy, floral cocktails, and interview IRIS BEAGLEHOLE about magic, both real and fictional.Find Iris
Witch's Liquor Cabinet: Elixirs of Enchantment -The Magic of Liqueurs (Minisode 18)
In today's episode, Shéa and Amy talk about how to make liqueurs, the secret weapon of magical potions...um...cocktails.Remember to craft your liqueurs with intent, because you’re not just mixing a drink.You’re mixing magic....
Episode 27: Oddballs, Cartomancy, and an interview with DELLE B. DIVINE!
This week's episode is all about Tarot and Oracle decks. Shéa and Amy delve into the difference between the two before interviewing Cartomancer Extraordinaire Delle!So grab a cocktail (might we recommend an Empress Gin French 75 or a Ber...
Minisode 18: Once in a Blue Moon
Today's episode is about the May 31, 2026 Blue Moon. We're talking astrology, fun facts & superstitions, ways to celebrate this every 2.5 year event, and sharing moon words and moon joy.Make yourself a Blue Moon Margarita and join us...
Episode 26: Candle magic limericks, Guyanese folklore, and an interview with JASMAINE PAYNE!
This week's episode features protective amulets and spells - mostly to keep our minds safe from Jasmaine Payne's LEECH! Blend up a piña colada and settle in for a great interview that covers topics such as Guyanese folklore, writing and mentori...
The Witch's Liquor Cabinet: Bitters and Balance (minisode 17)
In today's episode, Shéa and Amy talk about how to balance your beverages with bitters - as well as how to make your own!Mix yourself a cocktail (originally defined as spirits, water, sugar, and bitters) and learn about the energy you ca...
Episode 25: Historical nonsense, inane wittering, and whiskey drink(s) with C.N. ROWAN!
This week's episode features an interview with urban fantasy author C.N. Rowan, the magic of whiskey, and a journey with our ancestors. So find yourself a glass of single malt Scotch and come along for the ride!Affirmation: "I car...
Minisode 16: Blessed Beltane!
In today's minisode, you can learn all about the ancient Celtic trampolines, as well as the history of, superstitions around, and modern practices to celebrate Beltane.Make yourself a strawberry honey mojito, get your thorn bush decorate...
